Assembling apparatus



May 30, 1944.

E. 1.. MALHIOT ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 17, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 M/VENTO/P LMAL ///07' -V ATTORNEY May 30, 1944.

E. L. MALHIOT 2,349,878

- ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 17, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet s l/VVEA/TGR LMAZH/07' /AVZW A TTOR/VD E. L. MALHIOT ASSEMBLING APPARATUS May 30, 1944.

Filed Nov. 17, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 M/mvm/r LMAZH/OT ATTORNEY Patented May 30, 1944 ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Eugene L. Malhiot, Maywood, 111., assignor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 17, 1942, Serial No. 465,941

6 Claims.

This invention relates to assembling apparatus and more particularly to a compressing apparatus for use in compressing articles'so that they may be fixed together in a predetermined relation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for compressing articles while they are being attached together.'

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, apparatus is provided for compressing step by step switch assemblies which are mounted on two different levels of a fixture travelling In the apparatus, a compressing means is movable along the conveyor and transversely of the conveyor in addition to being shiftable to association with articles on either level of the fixture. Fluid actuated mechanisms are provided for operating the compressing means and for shifting it to either level of the fixture.

A better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a section of a conveyor system having a movable compresing apparatus made in accordance with the present invention associated therewith;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of an article carrier with a compressing fixture associated with it;

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the controls and driving mechanisms for the compressing fixture;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of Fig. '1 in the direction of the arrows and showing on an enlarged scale the compressing fixture in its lower position and out of association with the lower level of articles to be compressed;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the the top of a supporting table 16 to carry an article assembling fixture shown in dot and dash lines and designatedby the reference numeral I! through the apparatus. The fixture I! has upper and lower assembling sections I8 and I9 with which a compressing mechanism 20, made in accordance with the present invention, may be associated at the will of an operator. The fixture I! may be of any suitable type that carries banks of step by step switches at two levels and the fixture disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 465,940, filed November 17, 1942, constitutes one form of fixture which may be used. The fixture I1, in each assembling section l8 and I9, is provided with assembling or guide'pins 24, on which the various parts of the article are assembled.

The conveyor belt I5 is driven in any suitable manner across the top of the table l6 and may travel from right to left across the table to carry a series of fixtures ll past a compressing station, where a compressing mechanism 20 may be operated.

The belt 15 travels along the table l6 and will carry the fixture I! along with it, the fixture being guided by side rails'2l and 22 (Figs. 1, 5 and 6). The belt I5 is of the endless type and travels back beneath the table in a suitable guard frame 23 (Figs. 5 and 6) which is attached to the underside of thetable I6.

Extending along the table It; are a pair of channel members 21 and 28, the channel member 21 being disposed at the front of the table and the channel member 28 being disposed toward the rear thereof. The channel member 21- is suspended from the table by means of a plurality of support plates 29 and 30, which may be welded or otherwise suitably secured to the channel member and which are held in place on the front edge of the table by means of wood screws 3! (Figs. 1, 5 and 6). The rear channel member 28 is spaced from the table l6 by a spacer member 32 and has a series of bolts 33 threaded into its upper flange and extending through the table l6 and spacer 32, whereby the channel member 28 is suspended from the table. The lower flanges of the channel .members are cut away to receive angularly disposed channel members 34, 35, 33 and 31 (Fig. 2), which form cooperating inclined trackways, the channel members 34 and 35 being in alignment and being disposed at the same angle as the channel members 36 and 31, which are disposed in the same plane. The channel members 34, 35, 36 and 31 serve as tracks to guide rollers 38, 39, 4B and 4|,-

respectively, which are mounted for free rotation on the opposite ends of axles 42 and 43.

The axles 42 and 43 are secured to a rectangular framework, designated generally by the numeral 44, and comprising a pair of channeled trackways 95 and 46 and end plates 41 and 48, the axles 42 and 43 being fixed to the end plates 41 and 49. The rectangular framework 44 thus comprises a rigid framework in which a carriage, designated generally by the numeral 49, may travel.

The carriage 49 is constructed on the same general plan as the framework 44 and comprises a pair of angle members 59 and I rigidly interconnected by end plates 52 and 53. The end plates 52 and 53 have roller supporting axles 54 and 55, respectively, fixed to them and carrying rollers 56, 51, 58 and 59, which ride in the channel trackways 45 and 46. The angle members 59 and 5| have mounted on their horizontal flanges two channel members 69 and 6 I, in which wheels or rollers 62, 63, 64 and 65 may travel. The rollers 62 and 63 are mounted at the rear end of a compressor supporting frame 66, which is rectangular in shape, and the rollers 64 and 65 are mounted intermediate the ends of the compressor supporting frame 66. The compressor supporting frame comprises side members. i9 and II extending from the rear of the frame to the front thereof and carrying projections I2, 13, I4 and I5 (Fig. 20, on which the rollers 62, 63, 64 and 65 are mounted. The side members I9 and II are spaced apart adjacent the rear end thereof by a spacer plate 16, which serves as a stop for engaging abutments I8 and I9 mounted on tie plates '89 and BI, which are fixed to the underside of the channel members 69 and BI and carry the abutments I9 and I9 in the path of the plate I6 to limit the travel of the compressor supporting framework 66.

Intermediate the ends of the channel members 69 and 6|, a pair of cylinder supporting plates 82 and 83 are fixed to the channel members to support a cylinder 84. The cylinder 84 is provided with trunnions '85 and 96, which extend into the cylinder supporting plates 62 and 8-3 to pivotally support the cylinder thereon. The cylinder '84 is designed to actuate a piston rod 81, which extends up between the channel members 69 and 6| and is pivotally connected in the forked end 88 of a bell crank 99. The bell crank 99 is oscillatable about a pivot pin 99 mounted in a slotted'block 9I fixed to the undersides of the channel members 69 and 6|. The left end (Figs. 5 and 6) of the bell crank 89 extends into the forked end of a clamp actuating plunger 92 and the forked end of the plunger 92 has slots 93-93 formed therein in which are slidab-le blocks 94 mounted upon a pin 95 which extends through the bell crank '99 and through the blocks 94. The pin 95 has washers 96 attached to its ends which serve to hold the blocks 94 in the slots 93. Thus, when the bell crank 99 is rocked about the pivot pin 99, the blocks 94 will raise or lower the plunger 92 and will slide Within the Slots 93 for a short distance. The plunger 92 extends upwardly through a tubular member 91, which is mounted upon a supporting block 99, in turn fixed to a block 99 mounted on the forward end of the channel members 69 and BI.

At its upperend, the tubular member 9? has fixed to it a lower clamp I95, which cooperates with a movable clamp I96 fixed on the upper end of the clamp actuating plunger 92. The tubular member 91 also supports a pair of handles I9'I--I9'I, whereby the clamps may be moved as a unit to the right or left (Fig. 5) and to the right or left (Fig. 2). When the clamps I95 and I96 are moved to the right or left (Fig. 5), the framework 66 will travel in the channel members 69 and BI and when the clamps are moved to the right or left (Fig. 2), the framework 66 and the carriage 49 will move together in the rectangular framework 44. In this manner, the clamps I95 and I96 may be moved into engagement with an article assembling fixture I! which is travelling along on the belt 22 to position the clamp with respect to any one of a plurality of sub-assemblies II9 as carried on the fixture I I. It will be noted, by reference to Fig. 3, that the clamps are simultaneously associated with two adjacent sub-assemblies and, as will appear as the description progresses, the clamps will clamp the sub-assemblies under a definite pressure while assembling bolts II9 are threaded into the sub-assemblies.

The assembling fixture IT, as described in detail in the aforementioned co-pending application, is provided with two article assembling sections I8 and I9, one of which is normally positioned in a plane to be engaged by the clamps I and I96 when they are moved toward the table I6 and the other of which is mounted on pantograph levers H3 and I I4, whereby it may be moved into position in direct vertical alignment with and above the article assembling section I9. As shown most clearly in Fig. '7 in dot and dash lines, the article to be assembled comprises a pair of retaining plates H5 and H6, between which are assembled a plurality of insulators II'I carrying conducting elements H8 and the two plates H5 and H6 are to be interconnected by bolts II9 passed through aligned apertures in the top retaining plate H6 and in the insulators II! and threaded into threaded apertures in the plates H5. The upper clamp I96 is provided with a series of guide apertures I29, through which the bolts I I9 may be dropped. In order to properly align the upper and lower clamps I96 and I95 and the article to be assembled, there is provided a loose guide detail I2I, which may be used for this purpose. This detail comprises a plate I 22 having a handle I23 and provided with a series of four guide pins I24-I 24. The guide detail I23 is adapted to be passed through suitable apertures I89 in'the upper clamp I96, through aligned apertures I21 in the plates H6 and H5 and into apertures I8I in the clamp I95. The fixture I I1 is also apertured to receive the pins I24 and the ends of the pins are reduced,

as shown at I25, to enter the apertures I8I in the lower clamp I 95. In this manner, the clamps I95 and I96 will be properly aligned with the article and after the bolts II9 are dropped into the apertures I29 in the upper clamp plate, any suitable screw driver, as illustrated by the screw driver bit I29, may be used to set the bolts II9 in place While the article is compressed between the clamps I95 and I96.

The clamps I95 and I96, which are shown in Fig. 5 in alignment with the assembling section I9, may be moved upwardly into association with the assembling section I8 by driving the framework 44 up the inclined channels 34, 35, 36 and 31 to move the clamps I95 and I96 to the level shown in Fig. 6. The framework 44 may be moved to this position by supplying fiuid under pressure to a cylinder I39, which is mounted beneath the table I6, being pivotally mounted on a bracket I3I. The cylinder I39 has a piston I32therein to which is attached a piston rod I33Qthe oppositeend of which. is attached to a depending portion I34 of the axle 42. The piston rod l33 (Fig. 2) is threaded to'receive stop members I35 and I36, which limit its travel due to their engagement with a cross head I31 mounted on the'end of a pair of tie rods I39 and I39 suitably attached to the head of the cylinder I30. I

The tubular member 91 has mounted upon it, in addition tothe handles I01, a pair of push buttons I08 and I09, which control the fiow of fiuid under pressure to bothof the cylinders 84 and I30. As shown in Fig.4 the push buttons I08 and I09 control a pair of electric switches I40 and MI, respectively,connected in series to one side of a current source I42. As shown in Fig. 4, closure of both of the switches I40 and I4 I willconnect the current source I42 through a switch I43 to a solenoid I44; The solenoid I4'4 is connected to a valve I45 of the type which, on alternate operations of the solenoid, will connect a source of fluid under pressure through a pipe I46 alternately to a hose connection I 4Ifanda hose connection I48, which are, in turn, connected to opposite ends of the cylinder I30. When the switch I43 is opened and a switch I49 is closed, the current source I42 will be connected through a solenoid I 50 which will, on alternate operations, operate a reversing valve I5I to connect the pipe I46 alternately to a hose I52 and a hose I53, which are, in turn, connected to oppositeends of the cylinder 84. The switches l43 and I49are mounted on a suitable bracket I54 and carry their actuating 'plungers I55and" I56 in the path of levers I51 and I58, respectively. Thelevers I51 and I58 have rollers I59 and I60 on their free ends'forengagemen't by'the compressor supporting frame 66 when'the compressor supporting frame is pushed to its rear position, as shown in Fig. 6.

A better understanding of the invention will be had from the following brief description of the mode of operation of the apparatus embodying it. After insulators II'I carrying the conducting elements H8 and the retaining plates H5 and I I6 have been assembled on the assembling pins 24 while the article assembling fixture I'I travels along with the belt I5, the fixture will arrive at the compressing station and, without interrupting the travel of the fixture along the conveyor, the sub-assembly IIO may be bolted together by threading the bolts I I9 into the retaining plate II5 while holding all of the parts of the sub-assembly under compression. As the fixture I I ent;

ters the compressing portion of the apparatus, the operator at that station may grasp the handles I01 and manually move the carriage 49 to the right (Figs. 1 and 2) to position the clamps I05 and I06 in alignment with the first two subassemblies IIO on the fixture in the assembling section I8, as illustrated in Fig. 6. As soon as the clamps I06 are pushed in a position substantially in alignment with the sub-assembly IIO, the guide detail I2I may be slipped into place to assure the proper alignment of the clamps I05 and I06 with the sub-assembly H and the buttons I08 and I09 may then be pushed to their operated position to close the switches I40 and MI. As the clamps I and I06 are moved into position below and above the sub-assembly IIO, switches I 43 and I49 are operated by the engagement of the compressor supportingframe 66 with the rollers I59 and I60. When the switches I43 and I49 are operated, they are moved to the position opposite to that shown in- Fig, 4' and thus the current source I42, upon closure of switches I40 and I4 I; will be connected to the solenoid'l 50. As soon as the guide detail I2I' is slipped into place,' the clamping jaws I05 and I06 will travel along with the fixture and when the push buttons I08 and I09 are operated, fiuid under pressure will be admittedto the lower end of the cy'linder 84 to compress thesub-assembly'l I0 while the bolts 9 are set in place and threaded into the retaining plate II5. As soon as the two sub assemblies IIO between the clamps I05 and I06 have been fastened together, the push buttons I08 and I09 may be again operatedto release the clamps and after the guide detail I2I is moved from the clamps, the clamps may be moved into association with the next two sub-assemblies I I0 on the fixture I'I. After all of the sub-assemblies IIO on the article assembling'section I8 of the fixture I! have been bolted together, the clamps I05 and I06 may be moved out to the outermost position, as shown in Fig. 5, and the push buttons I08 and IIIQ operated. When the clamps I05 and I06, together with the supporting frame 66, are moved to the outer position, as shown in Fig. 5, the switches I43 and I49 Will return totheir normal position; asshown in Fig. 4, and when the push buttons I 08 and I09 are operated with the framework 66 in its outer position, current from the source I42 will be directed through the switches I 40 and I 4| and switch I 43 to the solenoid I44'to supply fluid under pressure to the right end (Fig. 1) of the cylinder I30, thereby to move the rectangular framework 44 down the inclined trackways formed by the channels '34, 35, 39 and 31, thereby to associate the clamps I05 and I06 with theassembling section I9 of thefixtureI'I.

After all of the sub-assemblies M0 on the assembling section I8 have been bolted together, the assembling section I 8may be pushed to the position shown in Fig. 5 and the sub-assemblies I I0 on the assembling section I9 will then be accessible to the clamps I05 and I06. Thereupon, the clamps I05 and I06 may be pushed into association with the sub-assemblies IIO on the section IQ of the fixture I1 and the operations described in connection with section l8 may be repeated. It will be understood that all during the time the hereinbefore described operations have been taking place, the fixture I I is travelling along with the belt I5 and its travel need not be interrupted While the sub-assemblies IIO carried by the fixture are compressed and the parts thereof attached together by running down the bolts II9.

What is claimed is:

1. In an assembling apparatus, compressing means engageable with articles for compressing them while they are secured together, means for actuating the compressing means, a supporting frame for supporting the compressing means and its actuating means, a carriage, means on the carriage for slidably supporting the frame for movement with respect to the carriage, a framework, means on the framework for supporting the carriage for movement with respect to the framework, and inclined trackways for supporting the framework for movement at an angle to the horizontal.

2. In an assembling apparatus, compressing means engageable with articles for compressing them While they are secured together, means for actuating the compressing means, a supporting frame for supporting the compressing means and its actuating means, a carriage, means on the carriage for slidably supporting the frame for movement with respect to the carriage, a frame-. work, means on the framework for supporting the carriage for movement with respect to the framework, inclined trackways for supporting the framework for movement at an angle to the horizontal, and means for moving the framework on the inclined trackways.

3. In an assembling apparatus, compressing means engageable with articles for compressing them while they are secured together, means for actuating the compressing means, a supporting frame for supporting the compressing means and its actuating means, a carriage, means on the carriage for slidably supporting the frame for movement with respect to the carriage, a framework, means von the framework. for supporting the carriage for movement with respect to the framework, inclined trackways for supporting the framework for movement at an angle to the horizontal, means for moving the framework on the inclined trackways, and a common control means for the compressing means and the means for moving the framework.

a 4. In an assembling apparatus, compressing means engageable with articles for compressing them while they are secured together, means for actuating the compressing means, a supporting frame for supporting the compressing means and its actuating means, a carriage, means on the carriage for slidably supporting the frame for movement with respect to the carriage, a framework, means on the framework for supporting the carriage for movement with respect to the framework, inclined trackways for supportingthe framework for movement at an angle to the horizontal, means for moving the framework on the inclined trackways, a common control means for the compressing means and the means for I moving the framework, and means operable by the supporting'frame for rendering the control means effective to control the means for actuatframe for supporting the compressing means and it actuating means, a carriage, means on the carriage for slidably supporting the frame for movement with respect to the carriage, a framework, means on the framework for supporting the carriage for movement with respect to the framework, inclined trackways for supporting the framework for movement at an angle to the horizontal, means for moving the framework on the inclined trackways, and a control means for selectively controlling either the operation of the compressing means or the means for moving the framework under control of the sup-porting frame.

6. In an assembling apparatus, compressing means engageable with articles for compressing them while they are secured together, means for actuating the compressing means, -a supporting frame for supporting the compressing means and the framework for movement at an angle to thehorizontal, means for moving the framework on the inclined trackways, switches mounted on the carriage to be operated by the supporting frame in one position, and a manually controlled circuit selectively controlled by said switches to control the operation of the compressing means and means for moving the framework. v

. EUGENE L. MALHIOT. 

